USOO668.

4763B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 6,684,763 B2

Park (45) Date of Patent: Feb. 3, 2004

(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 5,524,533 A * 6/1996 Koenig ........................ 100/45
CRUSHING AND SORTING CANS 2003/0057144 A1 * 3/2003 Wang ......................... 209/636
(76) Inventor: Chang-Geun Park, 908 Soto-Ri, FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Sangbuk-Myun, Yangsan-Si,
Kyungsangnam-Do (KR) FR 2698O28 A1 5/1994 ............. B3OB/9/32
JP O5146894. A 6/1993 ............. B3OB/9/32
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this WO WOOO/54965 A1 * 9/2000 ............. B3OB/9/32
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. * cited by examiner
(21) Appl. No.: 10/283,689 Primary Examiner William Hong
(22) Filed: Oct. 30, 2002 Assistant Examiner Jimmy Nguyen
(65) Prior Publication Data (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cantor Colburn LLP
US 2003/0079620 A1 May 1, 2003 (57) ABSTRACT
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data A method and apparatus are provided for crushing and
Sorting cans to collect waste cans in an optimal weight-to
Oct. 30, 2001 (KR) ........................................ 2001-67235 Volume ratio are provided. The method includes determining
Nov. 15, 2001 (KR) ..... ... 2001-35140 U whether or not an object is Supplied to a can crushing device
Mar. 25, 2002 (KR) ...................................... 2002-8840 U and whether or the Supplied object is a can by a proximity
May 29, 2002 (KR) .................................... 2002-1646OU
Sensor installed at a can Supply unit, and when it is deter
(51) Int. Cl. .................................................. B30B 9/32 mined that the Supplied object is a can, opening an opening/
(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 100/45; 100/49; 100/215; closing plate installed at the can Supply unit, thereby Sup
100/902; 100/917; 209/38 plying the can into a crushing/Sorting/discharging unit, and
(58) Field of Search .............................. 100/45, 48, 49, crushing/Sorting/discharging for crushing the Supplied can
100/135, 215, 216, 218, 226, 240, 246, by a crushing plate installed in the crushing/Sorting/
266,917, 902; 209/38; 221/295,301 discharging unit, Sorting the crushed can using an electro
magnetic force applied to the crushing plate by electromag
(56) References Cited netS mounted on the crushing plate, in accordance with the
material of the can, and then discharging the Sorted can.
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,436,026 A 3/1984 Imamura et al. .............. 100/45 9 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 1 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Object Crushing/Sorting/
Determining Step Can Supplying Ste Discharging Step

S2 S3
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 2 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Fig.2

S
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 3 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Fig .3a

2.NSNSYNASN
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 4 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Fig.3b

2O

22

28

24
O
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 5 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

g.4
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 6 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 7 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Fig.5b
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 8 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Fig.6

a a a

aller - is
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 9 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Fig. 7a
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 10 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Fig. 7b

55b
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 11 Of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Fig. 7c

56
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 12 Of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Fig.8

1N
N
N N
N
110A-1 (
N

50
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 13 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 14 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 15 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

Fig.11

N
E
N OO

130 120
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 16 0f 17 US 6,684,763 B2

134

140

Fig. 12a-2
150
U.S. Patent Feb. 3, 2004 Sheet 17 of 17 US 6,684,763 B2

130

Fig. 12b-2

150
 US 6,684,763 B2
1 2
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
CRUSHING AND SORTING CANS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus
for crushing and Sorting cans to collect waste cans in an
optimal weight-to-volume ratio or in a minimum Volume
to-weight ratio, and more particularly to a method and
apparatus for crushing and Sorting cans, using a simple
construction and a minimum number of processing StepS.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, cans filled with various food, for example,
beverages or beer, are made of a metal material Such as iron
or aluminum. After being emptied, most cans are disposed of
as they are. For this reason, Such waste cans cause Severe
environmental contamination, and increased waste of
resources. In order to Solve Such problems, various propos
als have been made which are adapted to collect emptied
CS.
Recently, automatic can crushing devices have been pro
posed which can automatically crushing emptied cans Sup
plied thereto, and then automatically collect the crushed
cans. However, Such conventional can crushing devices
have a complicated construction, thereby involving frequent
failures. Furthermore, Such devices are very expensive.
In order to Solve Such problems, various can crushing
devices having improved constructions have been proposed
by the applicant. An example of Such can crushing devices
is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No.
137011 entitled “Can Crusher'. Now, the can crusher dis
closed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 137011 will
be described in brief with reference to FIG. 11 and FIGS.
12a and 12b.
FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating an essential portion of
the conventional can crusher. FIGS. 12a-1 and 12a-2 are
front ViewSSchematically illustrating an operation of the can
crusher shown in FIG. 11, whereas FIGS. 12b-1 and 12b-2
are side views corresponding to FIGS. 12a-1 and 12a-2.
AS shown in the drawings, the conventional can crusher
1 includes: a case consisting of a door (not shown) and a case
body 100; a can supply unit 120 installed on a support frame
110 included in the case body 100, and equipped with a can
Supply container 128 provided with an opening/closing plate
122, a limit Switch 123, a proximity switch 124, and an
electromagnet 126; a crushing unit 130 including a crushing
container 132 having an inlet 131 for receiving cans Sup
plied from the can Supply unit 120, and a fixed plate
mounted to one end of the crushing container 132, while
including, within the crushing container 132, a hydraulic
pump, a hydraulic motor and a cylinder 135 having a rod 135
carrying a crushing plate 136; a guide/discharge unit 140
arranged beneath the crushing unit, and equipped with a
sorting plate 144 driven by a control motor 142; and
collecting containers 150 arranged beneath the guide/
discharge unit.
Each unit of the can crusher is controlled in a well-known
fashion by a control box installed at the upper portion of the
can crusher. A can Supply plate is mounted to the door where
the inlet is arranged. The can Supply plate is hingable in a
well known fashion.
In the conventional can crusher 1 having the above
described configuration, when a can is Supplied into the can
Supply unit, it is determined by the proximity Sensor whether
or not foreign matters are introduced along with the can. It
is then determined, using the electromagnet, whether the
Supplied can is an iron can or an aluminum can. Thereafter,
the Sorting plate arranged at the guide/discharge unit moves
to a collecting container Selected based on the determined
result. At the Same time, the opening/closing plate is opened,
thereby allowing the Supplied can to be introduced into the
crushing container of the crushing unit.
The can introduced in the crushing container is crushed
between the fixed plate and the crushing plate mounted to
the rod of the cylinder as the cylinder operates, and then
discharged into a Selected one of the collecting containers
via the guide/discharge unit. Thus, cans Supplied into the can
crusher are crushed and Sorted in accordance with the
15 materials of those cans. Accordingly, convenience is pro
Vided in accordance with the Sorted collection of waste cans.
However, the above mentioned conventional can crusher
has a problem in that a lot of time is taken for one can to be
discharged after being crushed and Sorted because the can
crusher has a complicated construction, and its crushing
process involves a number of processing Steps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the present invention provides a method and
25
apparatus for crushing and Sorting cans, having a simple
construction and a minimum number of processing Steps.
The invention provides a can crushing and Sorting appa
ratus configured to drive its crushing plate in a gear-driven
fashion using a gear operatively connected to a DC motor,
thereby greatly reducing the manufacturing costs while
considerably reducing the weight of the apparatus, So that
the apparatus has a lightest possible construction.
The invention provides a method and apparatus for crush
35 ing and Sorting cans which can Simply, easily and conve
niently punch cans containing flammable or explosive gas,
thereby improving Safety during crushing and Sorting opera
tions.
The invention provides a can crushing and Sorting appa
40 ratus configured to easily achieve the replacement of a
punching pin while allowing a user to easily use a punching
lever.
The invention provides a method and apparatus for crush
45
ing and Sorting cans which can not only easily achieve the
crushing, Sorting and collecting processes for cans, but also
the Simple and convenient collecting of waste paper cups by
Stacking those cups, and then crushing of the cups.
The invention provides a method and apparatus for crush
50 ing and Sorting cans which can simply and conveniently
collect waste paper cups by Stacking those cups, and then
crushing the cups, while being capable of conveniently
identifying the amount of the Stacked cups.
The invention provides a method and apparatus for crush
55 ing and Sorting cans which can simply and conveniently
collect waste paper cups by Stacking those cups, and then
crushing the cups, while being capable of preventing the
residual liquid contents of the cups from leaking externally.
The invention provides a method and apparatus for crush
60 ing and Sorting cans which can collect waste paper cups
more efficiently.
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention
provides a method for crushing and Sorting cans by use of a
can crushing device into which the cans are Sequentially
65 Supplied, comprising: an object determining Step for deter
mining whether or not an object is Supplied, and then
whether or not the Supplied object is a can or a foreign
 US 6,684,763 B2
3 4
matter; a can Supplying Step for if it is determined that the
Supplied object is a can, Supplying the can into the can
crushing device; and a can crushing/Sorting/discharging Step
for crushing the Supplied can by a crushing plate installed in
the can crushing device, Sorting the crushed can using an
electromagnetic force applied to the crushing plate in accor
dance with the material of the can, and then discharging the
Sorted can.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention
provides a can crushing and Sorting apparatus including a
case consisting of a door and a case body, a can Supply unit
installed on a Support frame included in the case body, and
equipped with a can Supply container provided with an
opening/closing plate driven to be opened and closed by a
drive motor, and a proximity Switch mounted to a lower
Surface of the can Supply container, a crushing and Sorting
unit for crushing and Sorting cans Supplied from the can
Supply unit, collecting containers arranged beneath the
crushing and Sorting unit, and a control unit for controlling
each unit of the apparatus, wherein the crushing and Sorting
unit comprises: a frame fixedly mounted to the Support
frame for the can Supply unit, and adapted to define a
crushing chamber, the frame being opened at its top and
bottom; a driving unit Supported by the frame, and equipped
with a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and a cylinder
having a rod extending through the frame, and a crushing/
Sorting/discharging unit including Sensors respectively
mounted to an upper end of the frame at opposite lateral ends
of the frame, a vertically-extending crushing plate mounted
to a protruded end of the rod within an interior of the frame,
and attached with electromagnets, and a Support plate
extending horizontally from a lower end of the crushing
plate to be integral with the crushing plate, the Support plate
having a discharge hole while being arranged to be orthogo
nal to the crushing plate.
Preferably, the discharge hole of the Support plate has a
desired width to allow the crushed can to be discharged
downwardly from a region where the Support plate adjoins
the crushing plate while being orthogonal to the crushing
plate.
Preferably, the driving unit comprises a guide rail
arranged at one side of the frame, and connected to a shaft
extending through the frame to be coupled to the crushing
plate, a rack slidably mounted on the guide rail outside the
frame, and a pinion coupled to a DC motor, and engaged
with the rack to slide along the guide rail in accordance with
a rotation thereof carried out by the DC motor.
The can crushing and Sorting apparatus may further
comprise a punching unit including a punching box fitted in
a fitting opening formed at an upper portion of the door near
one side of the door while being fixedly mounted to the door,
a shaft rotatably mounted at both ends thereof to opposite
Side walls of the punching box, respectively, a torsion Spring
coupled at one end thereof to one side wall of the punching
box and at the other end thereof to the Shaft, and a punching
lever mounted at one end thereof to the shaft, and provided
with a downwardly-extending punching pin.
The punching lever may be provided with a threaded hole
for allowing the punching pin to be threadedly coupled to the
punching lever, while having a foldable structure having two
lever portions pivotably coupled to each other, and a Support
member integrally formed with one of the lever portions,
and adapted to Support the other lever portion.
The can crushing and Sorting apparatus may further
comprise a plurality of cup receiving holes formed at a lower
portion of the door; and a paper cup collecting unit including
guide members mounted to a back Surface of the door to
communicate with respective cup receiving holes, and
adapted to downwardly guide paper cups introduced into the
cup receive holes, and paper cup StackerS mounted to the
back Surface of the door, and connected to respective guide
members, in order to Stack the paper cups introduced into the
cup receiving holes. Each paper cup Stacker may include a
Support plate adapted to Support the paper cups introduced
along an associated one of the guide members in a Stacked
State, and a guide plate arranged between the Support plate
and the associated guide member while being detachably
mounted to the Support plate and the associated guide
member, in order to guide the introduced paper cups, thereby
Stably Stacking the paper cups on the Support plate.
15 The can crushing and Sorting apparatus may further
comprise a Stacked cup amount display unit having viewing
Slots each formed at the door, and adapted to allow a user to
View the amount of paper cups Stacked in an associated one
of the paper cup Stackers.
The Support plate may be provided with a downwardly
formed receSS.
Meanwhile, each paper cup Stacker may include a Support
ring, a plurality of guide rods fixed at upper ends thereof to
the Support ring while being uniformly spaced apart from
25
one another in a circumferential direction, and a cup receiv
ing member mounted to lower ends of the guide rods, and
adapted to receive paper cups to be Stacked, So that the paper
cup Stacker is detachably coupled to an associated one of the
guide members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above objects, and other features and advantages of
the present invention will become more apparent after a
reading of the following detailed description when taken in
35
conjunction with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating Sequential process
ing Steps of a can crushing and Sorting method according to
the present invention;
40 FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a can crushing
and Sorting apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 3a is a side view schematically illustrating the
operation of the can crushing and Sorting apparatus accord
ing to the present invention;
45 FIG. 3b is a partially-broken front view corresponding to
FIG. 3a;
FIG. 4 is a perspective View illustrating a driving unit
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
50
FIGS. 5a-1 through 5a-3 are schematic perspective views
illustrating a can crushing and Sorting apparatus according to
another embodiment of the present invention in which a
punching unit is installed;
FIG.5b is a sectional view illustrating the operation of the
55 punching unit shown in FIG. 5a,
FIG. 6 is a Sectional view illustrating a punching unit
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7a is a perspective View illustrating a can crushing
and Sorting apparatus according to another embodiment of
60 the present invention;
FIG. 7b is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
inner configuration of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7a,
FIG. 7c is a schematic view illustrating the use of the can
crushing and Sorting apparatus shown in FIG. 7a,
65 FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a can crushing
and Sorting apparatus according to another embodiment of
the present invention;
 US 6,684,763 B2
S 6
FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate a paper cup collecting unit
according to another embodiment of the present invention in
the can crushing and Sorting apparatus of FIG. 7a,
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a paper cup
collecting unit according to another embodiment of the
present invention in the can crushing and Sorting apparatus
of FIG. 7a,
FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating an essential portion of
a conventional can crusher,
FIGS. 12a-1 and 12a-2 schematically illustrate an opera
tion of the can crusher shown in FIG. 11; and
FIGS. 12b-1 and 12b-2 are side views corresponding to
FIGS. 12a-1 and 12a-2.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to the annexed draw
ings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating Sequential process
ing Steps of a can crushing and Sorting method according to
the present invention.
In accordance with this can crushing and Sorting method,
emptied cans are crushed and Sorted using a can crushing
device to which those cans are Supplied. AS shown in FIG.
1, the can crushing and Sorting method according to the
present invention involves an object determining Step S1 for
determining whether or not an object is Supplied, and then
whether or not the Supplied object is a can or a foreign
matter; a can Supplying Step S2 for if it is determined that the
Supplied object is a can, Supplying the can into the can
crushing device; and a can crushing/Sorting/discharging Step
S3 for crushing the Supplied can by a crushing plate installed
in the can crushing device, Sorting the crushed can using an
electromagnetic force applied to the crushing plate in accor
dance with the material of the can, and then discharging the
Sorted can.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a can crushing
and Sorting apparatus according to the present invention. In
FIG. 2, elements respectively corresponding to those in
FIGS. 11, 12a, and 12b are denoted by the same reference
numerals.
AS shown in FIG. 2, the can crushing and Sorting appa
ratus includes a case consisting of a door and a case body,
a can Supply unit 120 installed on a Support frame included
in the case body, and equipped with a can Supply container
128 provided with an opening/closing plate 122 driven to be
opened and closed by a drive motor, and a proximity Switch
124 mounted to a lower Surface of the can Supply container
128, a crushing and Sorting unit 2 for crushing and Sorting
cans Supplied from the can Supply unit 120, collecting
containers arranged beneath the crushing and Sorting unit,
and a control unit for controlling each unit of the apparatus.
This configuration is similar to that of the above mentioned
conventional apparatus.
In accordance with the present invention, the crushing and
sorting unit 2 includes a frame 10 fixedly mounted to the
Support frame for the can Supply unit 120 by means of a
bracket and a general fixing method using Screws or
welding, and adapted to define a crushing chamber, and a
driving unit 20 Supported by the frame 10, and equipped
with a general hydraulic pump, a general hydraulic motor,
and a cylinder 22. The frame 10 is vertically opened to have
opened top and bottom portions. The cylinder 22 has a rod
22a extending through the frame 10. The crushing and
Sorting unit 2 further includes a crushing/Sorting/discharging
unit 30. This crushing/sorting/discharging unit 30 includes
Sensors 32 respectively mounted to the upper end of the
frame 10 at opposite lateral ends of the frame 10. Each
Sensor 32 may be a limit Switch. The crushing/Sorting/
discharging unit 30 also includes a vertically-extending
crushing plate 35 mounted to a protruded end of the rod 22a,
and attached with electromagnets 34, and a Support plate 36
extending horizontally from a lower end of the crushing
plate 35 to be integral with the crushing plate 35, and having
a discharge hole 36a. The Support plate 36 is arranged to be
orthogonal to the crushing plate 35. The support plate 36
normally closes the bottom of the frame 10. The discharge
hole 36a of the Support plate 36 has a desired width to allow
15 the crushed can to be discharged downwardly from the
region where the Support plate 36 adjoins the crushing plate
35 while being orthogonal to the crushing plate 35.
FIG. 3a is a side view schematically illustrating the
operation of the can crushing and Sorting apparatus having
the above described configuration according to the present
invention. FIG. 3b is a partially-broken front view corre
sponding to FIG. 3a.
As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, when an object is supplied
25
into the can supply unit 120, it is determined, by the
proximity Sensor 124 arranged at the bottom of the can
Supply container 128, whether the Supplied object is a can or
a foreign matter. When it is determined that the supplied
object is a can, the opening/closing plate 122 is opened by
the drive motor, thereby causing the can to be Supplied into
the interior of the frame 10. At this time, the bottom of the
frame 10 is in a state of being closed by the support plate 36
extending from the lower end of the crushing plate 35 in a
direction orthogonal to the crushing plate 35, as indicated by
35
the dotted line in FIG.3a. Accordingly, the can Supplied into
the frame 10 is held in a state of being laid on the Support
plate 36 in the crushing chamber.
When the can is introduced into the interior of the frame
10, the driving unit 20 operates to extend the rod 22 of the
40 cylinder 22, thereby causing the crushing plate 35 and
support plate 36 to move toward a wall of the frame 10
facing the crushing plate 35. As a result, the can is crushed
by the crushing plate 35 between the crushing plate 35 and
the facing frame wall. At this time, the movement of the
45 crushing plate 35 is sensed by a first one of the sensors 32
arranged near the cylinder 22. That is, when the crushing
plate 35 moves in a crushing direction, the first sensor 32
contacting the crushing plate 35 is separated from the
crushing plate 35, So that it generates a Sensing Signal
50 causing the electromagnet 34 to be activated. AS the elec
tromagnet 34 is activated, the crushing plate has a magnetic
force.
When the crushing operation is completed, that is, the
crushing plate 35 comes into contact with a Second one of
55 the Sensors 32, the cylinder 22 is operated to retract its rod
22a. At this time, where the crushed can is made of
aluminum, it is not maintained in a State of being attached
to the crushing plate 35 even through the crushing plate 35
has the magnetic force. As a result, the crushed can is
60 discharged into one collecting container 150 through the
discharge hole 36a of the Support plate 36 integral with the
crushing plate 35.
On the other hand, where the crushed can is made of iron,
it is maintained in a State of being attached to the crushing
65 plate 35 by virtue of the magnetic force exerted on the
crushing plate 35. Accordingly, the crushed can is moved
along with the crushing plate 35 when the rod 22a is
 US 6,684,763 B2
7 8
retracted. When the crushing plate 35 comes into contact
with the first Sensor 32 again, the electromagnetic 34 is
inactivated, thereby causing the iron can to be detached from
the crushing plate 35. As a result, the iron can is discharged
into the other collecting container 150 through the discharge
hole 36a of the support plate 36. In this state, the can
crushing and Sorting apparatus is positioned again at its
initial position.
Thus, it is possible to obtain conditions capable of con
siderably reducing the time taken for the can to be crushed,
Sorted, and then discharged, using a more simple can crush
ing construction.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a driving unit
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with this embodiment,
the driving unit 20 includes a rack 220 slidably mounted on
a guide rail 210. The guide rail 210 is arranged at one side
of the frame 10, and connected to a shaft 212 extending
through the frame 10 to be coupled to the crushing plate 35.
The driving unit 20 also includes a pinion 240 mounted to
a DC motor 230, and engaged with the rack 220 to slide
along the guide rail 210 in accordance with a rotation
thereof.
In accordance with this configuration, the crushing plate
35 is reciprocated as the rack 220 is reciprocated along the
guide rail 210 in accordance with rotation of the pinion 240
carried out by the operation of the DC motor 230, so that the
can introduced into the interior of the frame 10 can be
crushed, and then discharged.
Meanwhile, although the opening/closing plate 122 has
been described as being operated by the drive motor
included in the can supply unit 120, it may be directly
operated by a small-size DC motor in order to reduce the
manufacturing costs.
Thus, it is possible to provide an inexpensive can crushing
and Sorting apparatus by replacing the conventional expen
Sive hydraulic driving System with a gear type driving
System using a DC motor, thereby reducing the manufac
turing costs.
Since the gear type driving System is considerably light,
as compared to the hydraulic driving System, it is possible to
provide a lighter can crushing and Sorting apparatus.
FIGS. 5a-1 through 5a-3 are schematic perspective views
illustrating a can crushing and Sorting apparatus according to
another embodiment of the present invention in which a
punching unit is installed.
In accordance with this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5a,
the can crushing and Sorting apparatus further includes a
punching unit 40 mounted to the door denoted by the
reference numeral 100A in FIG. 5a. The punching unit 40
includes a punching box 44 fitted in a fitting opening 42
formed at an upper portion of the door 100A near one side
of the door 100A, and mounted to the door 100A by means
of flanges provided at the punching box 44, and Screws, a
shaft 46 rotatably mounted at both ends thereof to opposite
Side walls of the punching box 44, respectively, a torsion
spring 45 coupled at one end thereof to one side wall of the
punching box 44 and at the other end thereof to the shaft 46,
and a punching lever 48 mounted at one end thereof to the
shaft 46, and provided with a downwardly-extending punch
ing pin 47. The punching lever 48 is pivotable about the
shaft 46 between upper and lower positions, and always
urged toward its upper position by the Spring force of the
torsion Spring 45.
FIG. 5b is a sectional view illustrating the operation of the
punching unit shown in FIG. 5a.
In accordance with the configuration shown in FIGS. 5a
and 5b, it is possible to conveniently punch cans or con
tainers containing a dangerous material Such as flammable
or explosive gas because the punching unit 40 is provided at
the upper portion of the door 100A near one side of the door
100A. That is, when a can is desired to be punched, it is first
inserted into the punching box 44. Thereafter, the user
downwardly presses the punching lever 48 against the Spring
force of the torsion Spring 45, thereby causing the punching
lever 48 to be pivotably moved about the shaft 46 from its
upper position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 5b to its
lower position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5b. As a
result, the can is punched by the punching pin 47 of the
punching lever 48.
15 When the can is completely punched, the user lifts the
punching lever 48 to Separate the punching pin 47 from the
can. When the punching pin 47 is separated from the can, the
punching lever 48 is automatically upwardly pivoted about
the shaft 46 by virtue of the spring force of the torsion spring
45.
Thus, cans containing flammable or explosive gas can be
Safely crushed and Sorted by carrying out the crushing and
Sorting operations for those cans after Simply punching the
25
CS.
FIG. 6 is a Sectional view illustrating a punching unit
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
In accordance with this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6,
a threaded hole 48a is formed at the punching lever 48 in
order to allow the punching pin 47 to be threadedly coupled
to the punching lever 48. In this case, the punching pin 47
has a threaded portion adapted to be threadedly coupled to
the threaded hole 48a. In accordance with this configuration,
the punching pin 47 is replaceable with a new one when it
35
is excessively abraded in accordance with repeated punching
operations.
In accordance with this embodiment, the punching lever
48 also has a foldable structure having two lever portions
pivotably coupled to each other, in order to allow an outer
40 one of the lever portions to be pivotably moved to an upright
position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 6, thereby
preventing the punching lever 48 from Serving as an obstacle
when it is not used. In this case, a Support member 48b is
integrally formed with the inner lever portion of the punch
45 ing lever 48 in order to Support the outer lever portion during
the use of the punching lever 48.
In accordance with this configuration, it is possible to
easily replace the punching pin abraded due to repeated
punching operations with a new one. Also, it is possible to
50 prevent the punching lever from Serving as an obstacle when
it is not used by bringing the Outer lever portion of the
punching lever into contact with the Surface of the door.
Although not shown in the drawings, a groove may be
formed at the door in order to receive the outer lever portion
55 of the foldable punching lever when the outer lever portion
is folded. In this case, it is possible to obtain a beautiful
appearance of the can crushing and Sorting apparatus.
FIG. 7a is a perspective View illustrating a can crushing
and Sorting apparatus according to another embodiment of
60 the present invention. FIG. 7b is an exploded perspective
View illustrating the inner configuration of the apparatus
shown in FIG. 7a.
This embodiment is adapted to not only crush and Sort
emptied cans, but also conveniently collect waste paper cups
65 produced in association with the use of automatic dispensers
for coffee or other beverages, which have come into wide
Sc.
 US 6,684,763 B2
9 10
In accordance with this embodiment, the can crushing and
Sorting apparatus further includes a paper cup collecting unit
50, and a plurality of cup receiving holes 52 formed at the
lower portion of the door 100A, and adapted to supply waste
paper cups introduced therein to the paper cup collecting
unit 50. The paper cup collecting unit 50 includes guide
members 54 mounted to the back Surface of the door 100A
to communicate with respective cup receiving holes 52, and
adapted to downwardly guide waste paper cups introduced
into the cup receive holes 52, and paper cup StackerS 58
mounted to the back Surface of the door 100A, and con
nected to respective guide members 54, in order to Stack
waste paper cups introduced into the cup receiving holes 52.
The mounting of each guide member 54 to the door 100A
may be achieved using a well-known welding process. Each
paper cup Stacker 58 includes a Support plate 55 adapted to
Support the paper cups introduced along the guide member
54 in a Stacked State, and a guide plate 56 for guiding the
introduced paper cups in order to stably Stack the paper cups
on the Support plate 55. The guide plate 56 is arranged
between the guide member 54 and the Support plate 55 while
being detachably mounted to the guide member 54 and the
Support plate 55 by means of engagement protrusions 54a
and 55a, and engagement grooves 54b and 55b.
FIG. 7c is a schematic view illustrating the use of the can
crushing and Sorting apparatus shown in FIG. 7a.
AS shown in FIG. 7c, when a waste paper cup is intro
duced into one of the cup receiving holes 52 formed at the
door 100A, it is downwardly guided by the guide member 54
of the paper cup Stacker 58 communicating with the cup
receiving hole 52 at the back Surface of the door 100A, and
then stacked on the support plate 55 via the guide plate 56.
When a desired amount of waste paper cups are stacked
on the Support plate 55, the guide plate 56 detachably
mounted between the guide member 54 and the Support plate
55 is separated from the guide member 54 and the support
plate 55, in order to remove the Stacked paper cups from the
paper cup Stacker 58. Thus, there is an added convenience in
that it is possible to collect a desired amount of waste paper
cups at one time.
AS apparent from the above description, in accordance
with this embodiment, it is possible to not only crush and
Sort emptied cans, but also conveniently collect waste paper
cups produced in a large amount due to the wide use of paper
CupS.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a can crushing
and Sorting apparatus according to another embodiment of
the present invention.
In accordance with this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8,
the can crushing and Sorting apparatus further includes a
Stacked cup amount display unit 510 having viewing slots
512 each formed at the door 100A, and adapted to allow the
user to view the amount of paper cups Stacked in an
asSociated one of the paper cup Stackers.
Accordingly, the best time for collection of Stacked paper
cups can be conveniently determined because it is possible
to conveniently check the amount of paper cups Stacked in
each paper cup Stacker.
FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate a paper cup collecting unit
according to another embodiment of the present invention in
the can crushing and Sorting apparatus of FIG. 7a.
In accordance with this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9,
the support plate 55 of each paper cup stacker 58 has a
downward-formed recess 55a.
In accordance with this configuration, when paper cups
are Stacked on the Support plate 55, the residual liquid
contents of those paper cups are received into the receSS 55a.
Accordingly, it is possible to Sanitarily collect waste paper
CupS.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a paper cup
collecting unit according to another embodiment of the
present invention in the can crushing and Sorting apparatus
of FIG. 7a.
In accordance with this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10,
each paper cup Stacker 58 includes a Support ring 62, a
plurality of guide rods 64 fixed at the upper ends thereof to
the Support ring 62 while being uniformly spaced apart from
one another in a circumferential direction, and a cup receiv
ing member 66 mounted to the lower ends of the guide rods
64, and adapted to receive paper cups to be Stacked. The
15
paper cup Stacker 58 is detachably coupled to the associated
guide member 54.
The detachable coupling of each paper cup Stacker 58 to
the associated guide member 54 may be achieved using a
well-known coupling means. For example, the coupling
means may comprise engagement protrusions provided at
the guide member 54, and hooks adapted to be engagable
with the engagement protrusions. The hooks may be formed
at respective upper ends of two guide rods arranged at
opposite sides of the paper cup Stacker 58 So that they are
25
integral with the guide rods. Alternatively, Separate hooks
may be formed at the Support ring 62.
In accordance with this embodiment, the paper cup
Stacker has a Simple construction as compared to those of the
above described embodiments. In particular, when waste
paper cups introduced into the guide member through the
cup receiving hole are Stacked on the cup receiving member
via the guide rods, they can be conveniently removed by
Simply Separating the paper cup Stacker from the guide
member. Thus, it is possible to conveniently collect waste
35
paper CupS.
AS apparent from the above description, the present
invention provides a method and apparatus for crushing and
Sorting cans which can rapidly and conveniently achieve the
40 process involving crushing, Sorting and discharge of cans,
by use of a Simple construction and a minimum number of
processing Steps. Accordingly, it is possible to considerably
reduce the manufacturing costs by virtue of the Simple
construction, and to collect an increased amount of crushed
45 cans within a reduced time.
In accordance with the present invention, the driving of a
crushing plate is achieved using a gear type driving System
operatively connected to a DC motor. Accordingly, it is
possible to reduce the manufacturing costs by 80% or more
50 compared to the case using a hydraulic driving System. In
this case, a reduction in weight can also be achieved, So that
the can crushing and Sorting apparatus has a lightest possible
construction. As a result, it is possible to provide an
inexpensive, light, and easily-installable can crushing and
55 Sorting apparatus.
In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to
Simply, easily and conveniently punch cans containing flam
mable or explosive gas, prior to the crushing of those cans,
thereby improving Safety during crushing and Sorting opera
60 tions.
It is also possible to easily achieve the replacement of the
punching pin abraded due to repeated punching operations.
Furthermore, a punching lever having a foldable structure
may be used to allow the user to easily use the punching
65 lever. In accordance with the present invention, the punching
lever can be Semi-permanently used because the replace
ment of the abraded punching pin can be easily achieved. In
 US 6,684,763 B2
11
the case using the foldable punching lever, it is possible to
minimize an obstruction to the user caused by the punching
lever.
In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to
not only easily achieve the crushing, Sorting and collecting
processes for cans, but also the simple and convenient
collecting of waste paper cups by putting and Stacking those
cups into a paper cup collecting unit. Accordingly, the
collection rate of waste paper cups is increased, thereby
minimizing economic loSS.
In accordance with the present invention, the amount of
paper cups Stacked in the paper cup collecting unit can be
conveniently checked. Accordingly, the best time for col
lection of Stacked paper cups can be conveniently deter
mined.
In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to
prevent the residual liquid contents of paper cups Staked for
the collection thereof from leaking externally. Accordingly,
it is possible to Sanitarily collect waste paper cups.
In accordance with the present invention, paper cup
Stackers having a simple and detachable Structure are pro
Vide. Accordingly, the collection of Stacked paper cups can
be efficiently and conveniently achieved.
Although the preferred embodiments of the invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions
and Substitutions are possible, without departing from the
Scope and Spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accom
panying claims.
What is claimed is:
1. A can crushing and Sorting apparatus comprising:
a case including a door and a case body,
a can Supply unit installed on a Support frame with the
case body, the can Supply unit including a can Supply
container including an opening/closing plate driven to
be opened and closed by a drive motor, and a proximity
Switch mounted on a lower Surface of the can Supply
container,
a crushing and Sorting unit for crushing and Sorting cans
Supplied from the can Supply unit, collecting containers
arranged beneath the crushing and Sorting unit, and
a control of the units controlling each unit of the
apparatus,
wherein the crushing and Sorting unit comprises:
a frame fixedly mounted to the Support frame of the can
Supply unit, and adapted to define a crushing
chamber, the frame being opened at a top and bottom
thereof;
a driving unit Supported by the frame, and including a
hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and a cylinder
having a rod extending through the frame; and a
crushing/Sorting/discharging unit including Sensor
for Sensing positions of a vertically-extending crush
ing plate, wherein the Sensors are respectively
mounted on an upper end of the frame at opposite
lateral ends of the frame, the vertically-extending
crushing plate mounted on a protruded end of the rod
within an interior of the frame, and attached with
electromagnets wherein the control unit activates
and inactivates the electromagnets in response to one
of the Sensors, and a Support plate extending hori
Zontally from a lower end of the crushing plate to be
integral with the crushing plate, the Support plate
having a discharge hole and being arranged to be
orthogonal to the crushing plate.
12
2. The can crushing and Sorting apparatus according to
claim 1, wherein the discharge hole of the Support plate has
a width to allow the crushed can to be discharged down
Wardly from a region where the Support plate contacts the
crushing plate while being orthogonal to the crushing plate.
3. The can crushing and Sorting apparatus according to
claim 1, wherein the driving unit comprises:
a guide rail arranged at one side of the frame, and
connected to a shaft extending through the frame to be
coupled to the crushing plate;
1O
a rack Slidably mounted on the guide rail outside the
frame; and
a pinion coupled to a DC motor, and engaged with the
rack to Slide along the guide rail in accordance with a
15 rotation of the pinion carried out by the DC motor.
4. The can crushing and Sorting apparatus according to
claim 1, further comprising:
a punching unit including
a punching box fitted in a fitting opening formed at an
upper portion of the door near one side of the door
while being fixedly mounted to the door,
a shaft having ends rotatably mounted to opposite Side
walls of the punching box,
a torsion Spring coupled at one end to one side wall of
25 the punching box and at another end thereof to the
shaft, and
a punching lever mounted at one end to the Shaft, and
including a downwardly-extending punching pin.
5. The can crushing and Sorting apparatus according to
claim 4, wherein the punching lever further includes
a threaded hole for allowing the punching pin to be
threadedly coupled to the punching lever, while having
a foldable structure having two lever portions pivotably
coupled to each other, and
35 a Support member integrally formed with one of the lever
portions, and adapted to Support the other lever portion.
6. The can crushing and Sorting apparatus according to
claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of cup receiving holes formed at a lower
40 portion of the door; and
a paper cup collecting unit including:
guide members mounted on a back Surface of the door
to communicate with each of the cup receiving holes,
and adapted to downwardly guide paper cups intro
45 duced into the cup receive holes, and
paper cup StackerS mounted on the back Surface of the
door, and connected to each of the guide members,
in order to Stack the paper cups introduced into the
cup receiving holes, each of the paper cup Stackers
50 including a Support plate adapted to Support the
paper cups introduced along an associated one of the
guide members in a Stacked State, and a guide plate
arranged between the Support plate and the associ
ated guide member while being detachably mounted
55 on the Support plate and the associated guide
member, the guide plate being adapted to guide the
introduced paper cups in order to Stably Stack the
paper cups on the Support plate.
7. The can crushing and Sorting apparatus according to
60 claim 6, further comprising:
a Stacked cup amount display unit having viewing Slots
each formed at the door, and adapted to allow a user to
View the amount of paper cups Stacked in one of the
paper cup Stackers.
65 8. The can crushing and Sorting apparatus according to
claim 6, wherein the Support plate comprises a downwardly
formed receSS.
 US 6,684,763 B2
13
9. The can crushing and Sorting apparatus according to
claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of cup receiving holes formed at a lower
portion of the door; and
a paper cup collecting unit including:
guide members mounted on a back Surface of the door
to communicate with each of the cup receiving holes,
and adapted to downwardly guide paper cups intro
duced into the cup receive holes, and
paper cup StackerS mounted on a back Surface of the
door, and connected to each of the guide members,
in order to Stack the paper cups introduced into the
14
cup receiving holes, each of the paper cup Stackers
including a Support ring, a plurality of guide rods
fixed at upper ends thereof to the Support ring while
being uniformly spaced apart from one another in a
circumferential direction, and a cup receiving mem
ber mounted on lower ends of the guide rods, and
adapted to receive paper cups to be Stacked, So that
the paper cup Stacker is detachably coupled to one of
the guide members.
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